Broken Home // mashton

chapter three

His parents were never awake when he was leaving for school, something about him being old enough to make his own breakfast and not needing a ride, so he just took his toaster waffle and then placed it between his lips as he locked the front door behind him. He stopped to shove his keys back into the inside of his denim jacket and then felt his steps slow as he looked at the house to his left.

They were awake, dollys rolling noisily back and forth to lift everything from couches to cabinets to dressers. He saw Ashton helping his sister carry boxes, the youngest brother just followed behind with a wheeled box trailing behind him, and when someone noticed him staring she smiled and waved at him. "Hey, there."

He felt heat rise on his cheeks at being caught staring and he awkwardly waved as he pulled the waffle from between his teeth. "Hey." He greeted awkwardly to what looked to be the mom of the family. "Sorry, I um... I didn't mean to uh -"

"- nonsense." She dismissed. "Are headed to school?" She asked and he nodded. "Delta?"

"Y-Yeah, actually." He stuttered as he slowly walked off his porch. "I'm actually running a bit late..."

"My son is getting enrolled there next week. He's a bit of a loner, doesn't make friends easily... Think you could show him around when the time comes?" She asked hopefully and Michael felt his eyes widen as he saw a familiar blond walk behind the woman and glance his way.

He stares for a moment, a hand lingering on his mom's shoulder before he kisses her cheek and then disappeared into the truck. "Careful, sweetheart, that's heavy." She warned him and Michael wondered if he should stay to answer her or just walk away and pretend she never asked.

He decided against it, and sometimes he really hates being such a good person.

"Yeah, no problem." He forced a grin as he saw the father stand beside her. "That'd be uh fine. Yeah, I can do that."

She lit up like a lightbulb before stepping on to the metal rail of the moving truck. "You're sweet. Thank you." She chirped, energetic and bright despite how early it was.

"What's he doing?" He heard a gruff voice and Michael turned away when he saw him grab her dainty wrist in his large hand in a less than friendly grasp.

None of his business.

What happens in that house and between that family is none of his business, he reminded himself as he munched on his chocolate chip waffle and began walking, questions flooding his head.

Ashton? A loner? Why did he find that hard to believe? He was so attractive, surely he'd have swarms of girls around him or friends to hang out with. It's just what pretty people do. He sees it all the time, and not once had he ever seen someone like Ashton sitting by himself or in a group with less than three people. It was just the rules.

He sighed and then looked both ways on the street before walking, deciding he'd have to tell his friends that a new face would be joining them for lunch soon. Not that they'd care. Being the socialites they were meant they'd take anyone into their group regardless of who they were. They'd probably accept a stuffed animal into the group and invite it to a party.

A stuffed animal would be more exciting than him though, so it's fair.

-

"Wait, you got a hot neighbor?" Calum gasped in shock and Michael rolled his eyes.

Of course that's the only part of the story he got. Not that his father was laying his own problems on him like some sort of diary. Not that his neighbor practically parkoured out of a two story high window at midnight. Not that a stranger basically asked him to be his son's unassigned assigned guide. Just he's hot.

"Is he gay?" Luke asked as he huffed. "All my friends are gay. If I had a dollar for every one of you, I'd be rich! Not that gays aren't cool and I'd be mad if he is, it's just... who am I supposed to talk about girls with?"

Michael tensed at the question he asked, running it through his head multiple times before realizing it wasn't any of his business to disclose, even if he knew his friends would never tell anyone else. He just shrugged his shoulders, not shooting him down but also not agreeing. "I don't know. I never even talked to him!" He reminded them to stir the conversation and Calum sighed dreamily.

"Jump his d-"

Michael scrunched his nose up in disgust and groaned before looking down at his lunch, deciding he was full and Luke could finish the rest of his fries. "I'm sorry about the dad thing though. I don't see why he doesn't just get a divorce." Calum waved his drink around. "Get it over with, ya' know?"

He nodded and then looked at his hands. "He doesn't want me going back and forth... something about choosing sides or whatever, but it'd be better than being in the middle of a war."

"Want to come over and get your mind off of it? My family misses you." Luke grinned as he nudged him. "My dog misses you too."

Michael smiled. "Do you miss me?" He teased.

"You know, Michael, if I was gay, like a total flaming homosexual like you, I'd date you." He smiled and then threw an arm over his shoulder while humming. "I always miss you."

Calum threw chips at them while making noises of disgust and the two laughed, picking the snacks from their clothes and eating it. "Game night at Luke's. I'll pay for pizza." He confirmed and the youngest blond nodded as he rested his head on Michael's head.

"God, what would I do without you raging heterosexuals?" Michael sighed happily and Calum choked on his soda.

He joking narrowed his eyes at him in betrayal. "Bisexual, Michael. Do not group me with the likes of... Hemmings."